London Marathon success for lunchtime supervisor Donna

A Highfields lunchtime supervisor completed this year’s London Marathon in memory of her beloved late mum - and loved the experience so much, she’s already put her name into the ballot for the 2020 event.

Donna Lowery spent months training for the world-famous 26.2-mile run to support research into Pancreatic Cancer, which claimed the life of her mum, Linda Munday, at the age of 60 in 2014.

The 42-year-old, who lives with her family in Penn, was one of just 70 competitors running the London Marathon on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer UK, and has to raise at least £2,500 for the cause.

So far, she has received donations and pledges of around £2,000, and is urging more people to donate to help her meet the fundraising target for the charity so close to her heart.

The marathon was Donna’s second fundraising challenge for the charity, and comes after she raised £1,000 by completing the London to Brighton Cycle ride after her mum was diagnosed with the illness.

As well as already putting her name in the ballot for next year’s London Marathon, she will also be competing in a Triathlon with the Black Country Triathletes in Wombourne in September, running in October’s Birmingham Half Marathon, and competing in an Iron Man competition in Staffordshire 2020.

The 42-year-old, who also runs her own cleaning business, said: “It all feels like a dream. I keep thinking, ‘Have I really just completed the London Marathon?’.

“I feel totally normal physically, and have no aching or pain, so that’s really good.”

Donna - whose two children, Eden and Lily, are students at Highfields - finished the race in 6hrs 40mins.

She said: “I wasn’t really happy with my time but I ran all of the way, only stopping for seconds to see my family. My goal was not to walk at all so I’m very proud of that.

“When I went over Tower Bridge, I felt my knee go and knew I had to slow down if I was going to finish it.”

Donna’s whole family, including her children, husband Wayne and dad Garth, cheered her on at various points along the famous route.

She said: “It was upsetting when I saw my dad. He’d given me a bracelet of mum’s to wear on the day and he was quite emotional because of the reason I was running it. I don’t normally really believe in things like that, but I felt like she was with me. She’d been in a lot of pain and so when my knee went I just thought, ‘come on, just get through it’.

“The support you receive from the crowds is just phenomenal. There’s people giving out food, sweets and energy gels, and shouting out your name as you go past. They were really supportive of those who were struggling and telling them they could do it.

“It was just a fantastic day, and I loved being part of it so much. I would do another one tomorrow.